Pipe closure



0; W. ELLIS PIPE CLOSURE Nov. 21, 1939.

Filed Sept.

Patented Nov. 21, 1939 OFFICE H. r' i' vt f; 1i; Owen William Forest Hill, Ontario, Canada Application September 16,1936; Serial'No;:'100,969

1-Claim.' (Cl.169 -4 1') I The invention relates to improvements in pipe closures as described in the present specification and shown in the accompanying drawing that forms a part of the same.

The invention consists essentially in theme of thermally responsive elements (which may consist of combinations of two metals or alloys having different coeificients of expansion, (bimetals), a metal or alloy and a non-metal having dilierent coefiicients of expansion, or two non-metals hav ing different coeflicients of expansion) in the form of suitably shaped strips to which latches of non-corroding metal or alloy are firmly attached, these latches supporting, either directly'or indirectly, valves of Various types or devices fitted of change in temperature, cause the latches (either directly or indirectly) to release the valves and thus to unseal the tubular passages or openings in the-vessels, as pointed out broadly and specifically in the claims for novelty following a description in detail of an acceptable form of the invention.

The objects of the invention are to provide selfreleasing safety devices of such delicacy of action as shall ensure their immediate response to any rise or fall of temperature above or below certain predetermined temperatures; to construct devices which, despite their delicacy of action, shall be so rugged as to be unafiected by suddenxshocks or blows, thereby minimizing the possibility of their response to changes other than changes in temperature only; to build devices which shall ensure against damage to merchandise and property on account of any rise or fall in tempera ture beyond a certain predetermined temperature; to provide devices which shall be sensitive to emergency conditions where excessive heat or cold exists, yet shall retard the time of their release until conditions fully warrant their release; to supply devices which shall not deteriorate with time (as aresult, for example, of corrosion), and which on this account will remain permanently positive in action; and generally provide devices which shall be of comparatively simple construction, efficient and dependable, reasonable in cost of production, without afiectih'gftheirdurable and efilcient properties for the purposes s'et'forth.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view of the pip closure.

, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the lines 2-2 in Figure l.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

In the drawing the standpipe or header 35 is closed by means of the cylindrical sealing plug or valve 32. This sealing plug is prevented from leaving the standpipe or header 35 by a latch 36 of non-corrodible metal or alloy which is firmly attached by means of a screw to the thermally responsive element 38 shown on the right hand side of the standpipe or header. This element 38 is retained in position by means of two screws 26 and 2!. Other means of attaching the latch to the element and the element to the header (such as for example soldering, Welding etc.) may be employed if desired. The thermally responsive element can be arranged to move outward-from the standpipe or header according to whether the temperature is rising or falling. If, for example, it is desired that the sealing plug or header be released from the standpipe or header at a predetermined temperature higher than room temperature, the thermally responsive element can be so arranged that the latch moves away from the sealing plug or valve under the action of the thermally responsive element and releases the sealing plug or valve when the predetermined temperature has been reached. Means for adjusting the thermallyresponsive element so that the latch will operate at the predetermined temperature is provided in the form of a screw 39 which screws into the standpipe or header 35. Rotation of this screw will cause the thermally responsive element to move away or towards the standpipe or header depending of course upon the direction of rotation given to the screw. i

The sealing plug or valve 32 is provided with an'elongated slot 33. Through this slot extends a pin 34, which is fitted into the standpipe or header 35. The object of this pin is to prevent the sealing plug or valve from leaving the standpipe or header when the latch 36 operates as a result of the predetermined temperature (either lower or higher than room temperature) having been reached. The release of the sealing plug or valve permits the liquid in the standpipe or header to flow therefrom through the outlets 31 provided in the standpipe or header. The pin prevents the sealing plug or valve from being lost. All that is necessary, therefore, when the liquid that has left the vessel through the standpipe or header has done its work, is for the sealing plug or valve to be pushed back into the standpipe or header; provided the temperature has returned to normal, the thermally responsive element 38 will cause the latch to spring into its original position, and to prevent the sealing plug or valve from leaving the standpipe or header. It will in most cases be necessary to adjust the screw 39 somewhat to ensure that the device will operate correctly on a future occasion.

It should be observed that the standpipe or header, the sealing plug or valve, and the latch are preferably made of non-corrodible materials, or materials which will not alter in shape with time. It should further be noted that that end of the adjusting screw remote from its head should fit into the standpipe or header; the end of the adjusting screw farthest from its head should not merely rest against the standpipe or header. Means may also be provided for locking the adjusting screw so that when once the adjustment necessary to control the movement of the latch has been made, it will be retained permanently throughout the service of the device.

What I claim is:

In pipe closures, a pipe having an open end and apertures adjacent thereto, a valve adapted to be inserted in the open end of said pipe, a thermally responsive element having one end fixedly secured to the exterior wall of the pipe, an adjusting screw adapted to be threaded into said pipe and extending through said thermally responsive element, and a latch fixedly secured to the free end of the thermally responsive element and adapted to engage the underside of said valve.

OWEN WILLIAM ELLIS. 

